Lu
Every Lu since 1886 — 4,081 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Lu
Lu is rare for girls in the United States, ranked #12,652 in 2025 with 7 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.
Since 1886, 4,081 American babies have been named Lu. Its peak came in 1954, when 394 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1950s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Lu stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Lu year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 7 | #12,652 | — | — |
| 2024 | 8 | #11,734 | — | — |
| 2023 | 11 | #9,358 | — | — |
| 2022 | 9 | #10,890 | 5 | #13,566 |
| 2021 | — | — | 6 | #11,600 |
| 2020 | 7 | #12,937 | 6 | #11,446 |
| 2019 | 5 | #17,038 | — | — |
| 2018 | 5 | #17,146 | — | — |
| 2017 | 6 | #15,202 | — | — |
| 2016 | 10 | #10,547 | — | — |
| 2015 | — | — | — | — |
| 2014 | — | — | — | — |
| 2013 | 5 | #18,196 | — | — |
| 2012 | 5 | #18,474 | — | — |
| 2011 | — | — | — | — |
| 2010 | — | — | — | — |
| 2009 | — | — | — | — |
| 2008 | — | — | — | — |
| 2007 | — | — | — | — |
| 2006 | — | — | — | — |
| 2005 | — | — | — | — |
| 2004 | — | — | — | — |
| 2003 | — | — | — | — |
| 2002 | — | — | — | — |
| 2001 | — | — | — | — |
| 2000 | — | — | — | — |
| 1995 | — | — | 6 | #8,460 |
| 1990 | — | — | — | — |
| 1985 | 5 | #11,710 | — | — |
| 1980 | 9 | #7,134 | — | — |
| 1975 | 11 | #5,357 | — | — |
| 1970 | 18 | #3,512 | — | — |
| 1965 | 36 | #1,937 | — | — |
| 1960 | 169 | #788 | — | — |
| 1955 | 276 | #549 | — | — |
| 1950 | 41 | #1,442 | — | — |
| 1945 | 44 | #1,202 | — | — |
| 1940 | 31 | #1,366 | — | — |
| 1935 | 41 | #1,093 | — | — |
| 1930 | 13 | #2,499 | — | — |
| 1925 | 25 | #1,723 | — | — |
| 1920 | 12 | #2,817 | — | — |
| 1915 | 7 | #3,640 | — | — |
| 1910 | 6 | #2,302 | — | — |
| 1905 | 7 | #1,631 | — | — |
| 1900 | 9 | #1,381 | — | — |
| 1895 | 7 | #1,377 | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — |
Famous people named Lu
- Lu Xun Writer · 1881–1936
- Lu Xun Politician · 183–245
- Lu Su Politician · b. 172
- Lu Yu Writer · 733–804
- Lu Ban Engineer · -507–-440
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Lu in 2025?
Lu ranked #12,652 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 7 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Lu?
4,081 babies have been named Lu in the United States since 1886, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Lu most popular?
Lu peaked in 1954, when 394 newborns received the name.
Is Lu a boy or girl name?
Lu is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 99% of babies with the name.
Is the name Lu rising or falling?
Lu is on the rise — noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Lu?
Well-known people named Lu include Lu Xun (writer), Lu Xun (politician), Lu Su (politician).